Axar Patel ruled out of last two T20Is against South Africa after falling ill ahead of the final matches of the series. The Indian all rounder will miss the remaining games as the team management decided not to take any risk with his health. Axar Patel ruled out of last two T20Is against South Africa marks a setback for India’s balance in the squad.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed the development in an official statement. The board said Axar is currently with the team in Lucknow, where the fourth T20I is scheduled. Doctors will carry out further medical checks there to assess his condition and recovery timeline.
India has included Shahbaz Ahmed in the squad as Axar’s replacement for the last two matches. Shahbaz brings left arm spin and lower order batting depth, and the team management expects him to fit into the playing combination without delay.
Axar Patel also missed the third T20I and did not feature in the playing eleven. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah also sat out that match due to personal reasons. The team management brought in Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana to fill the gaps left by the two senior players.
India delivered a strong performance in the third match despite the absences. The team secured a seven wicket win and took a 2-1 lead in the five match T20I series against South Africa. The victory boosted confidence inside the camp as the series moves toward its final phase.
The Indian team now looks to maintain momentum in the remaining matches while managing player workload and fitness. Medical staff will continue to monitor Axar Patel closely as the team focuses on closing the series on a positive note.
